Wire-stretcher



(No Model.) 2 Sheets Sheet 1.

D. H. JONES.

WIRE STRETGHBR.

N0.v599,610. Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

mv l0R @M .flttornel/ WI TJV ESSES (No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' D. H. JONES.

Y WIRE STRETGHBR. No. 599,610. Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

WITNESSES [NI/ENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL H.l JONES, OF LENOIR CITY, TENNESSEE.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIICATION-forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,610, dated. February 22, 1898.

Application filed February 6, 1897. Serial No. 622,268. (No model.)

To all whom, z5 may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL H. J oNEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lenoir City, in thecounty of Loudon and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers; an d I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in 'wire-stretching machines, and has more particular relation to machines for stretching Wires for wire fences.

The invention consists of certain novel con-- structions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more' particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figurel represents a perspective view of a machine embodying my invention in operative position for stretching the wires of a fence. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail perspective vievsT of one of the wire clamps, and Fig. 3 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of a modified form of Wire-spacing bar.

A in the drawings represents the main frame; B, the supporting-legs; O O, the Winding-drums; D D, the wire-clamps, and F the spacing-rod. The frameA preferably comprises two side bars 0L a, connected at their ends by cross-pieces a'. 4The two longitudinal bars a are braced by wires d2, connected to their respective ends and `passin g over suitable blocks as, secured to the rear faces of said side bars. The legs B are pivotally connected to the upper ends of said rails a by bolts b, which pass through any one of the series of apertures b', formed in the ends of said legs, and through suitable apertures formed in the upper ends ofsaid side bars a. Nuts b2, having operating-handles b3, are applied on the outer ends of the bolts b to secure the legs in their adjusted positions.A To assist in more irmly holding said legs in their proper position for supporting the frame A in an inclined position, said rails ct are prowith two ratchet-wheels c c, arranged at their opposite ends and having teeth which extend in opposite directions. Each of said ratchetwheels c is adapted to be engaged by a piv- 1 oted paWl c', mounted upon the frame A, so

that no matter Which Way the drum is rotated it lmay beheld in position by one of said pawls. alternately upon different sides of the frame A and squared, as at c2, for the application of an operating-handle c3. Each of said drums C isprovided with a chain c4, secured at one end thereto and at its opposite end to one of the wire clamps D. Each .of said clamps comprises a base-plate d, a rigid block d', a pivoted lever cl2, and a guard-plate cl3. The block d' is intended for the support of the wire that is to be stretched and is formed at its inner end with a plurality of teeth d4. The said guard or Iiange d? is' mounted upon the base CZ and projects upward therefrom, so as to form a wire-channel d5 between it and the side of the' block d'. The Wire is held in this channel by a turn-button d6, mounted upon the block d'. The lever clzis pivotally mounted upon said base cl at (Z7, and is formed` at one end with a plurality of teeth d8, adapted to interlock with the teeth d4 when the lever is pulled toward the same by the wire being pulled through between said teeth.

The ends of the block d' and lever cl2, respectively, are preferably rounded, so that they come together with a cam action which will jam the wire rmly between them when a pull is exerted upon the base CZ. The saidY base d is also provided with astop di), adapted to limit the movement of the lever d2 in one direction, so that it cannot pass by the jamming-point with the block d.

Should the free end of the wire extending between the block d and lever cl2 be pulled, the said lever will immediately turn upon its pivot and permit the Wire to freely pass be- The shafts of the drums are extendedl IOO tween it and the block; but any reverse movement of the wire will immediately jam the block and lever together and thus tightly grip said wire. The spacing-bar F for preventing the wires from becoming tangled while being stretched comprises a bar proper, F',and a plurality of spring-rings f,mounted thereon at intervals and adapted to have the wire sprung into the same.

In the modified form of spacing-bar the bar F' is provided with a plurality of wire-receiving notches f2, covered by pivoted plates f3, having operating-handles fu1 and adapted to be locked in position over said grooves f2 by angular spring-catehesf, secured to said bar F and adapted to extend through notches f6, formed in the ends of said pivoted plates f3, the angular ends of said springs f5 entering suitable recesses f7,formed in the bar F'.

It will be observed from this description that the wires, after once being inserted into the recesses or grooves f2, are effectively held in position by the plates f3 being turned to permit the spring-catches f5 to snap into the notches of the same.

The top of the frame A is provided with two curved guiding-arms a7, adapted to guide telegraph, telephone, or electric-light wires when the same are being tightened by this apparatus. lVhen the frame A is lirst set up, before the wires have been tightened, it is preferable to secure the lower end of said frame by pegs or otherwise in position against slipping; but after the pressure is once applied the supporting-legs B, in combination with said frame, form a perfect support. lVhen the wires of the fence are to be stretched, they are inserted, respectively, into the spacing-bars and into their respective clamps D and pulled as tight as possible. v The drums C, connected to said clamps D, are then rotated by the crank-handle, thus effectively tightening the wire. The wires are then nailed in position to the post or other place upon which they are to be secured and the machine moved forward again until the desired position has been reached, when the drums C are again loosened to permit the chains to unwind from the same. The wire is then tightened by hand and the drums again rotated to stretch said wire. This operation is continued until the fence is completed.

I do not care to limit the application of my invention to stretching fence-wires, as the same may be aptly employed for stretching telegraph, telephone,electric-light wires, and, in fact, any wires that need such stretching.

By providing the base-blocks and wires c3 and 0L4 upon the back of the frame A the strain upon said frame is equalized and the same effectively braced against bending or giving.

By the employment of my device the wires may be stretched to any desired degree, even to the point of breaking, as the power of the drums C is practically unlimited because of the rigid formation of the frame and support therefor.

I do not wish to limit my application to any particular number of winding-drums mounted upon the frame A, as the same is governed according to the number of wires that are to be stretched, and may be either the number shown in the drawings or more or less, if desired, or only a portion of the `drums mounted on the frame need be used at one time.

It will be observed that, by arranging the protruding ends of the axles of the drums alternately upon opposite sides upon the frame A, a crank -handle of considerable length may be employed without interfering in any way with the next protruding shaft. The grooves CL4 in which the supporting-legs B are mounted, when in their proper position, have inclined bottoms, so that when the nuts b2 are turned home the said supporting-legs are spread, so as to afford a iirm support for the frame A and prevent all lateral tipping of the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a wire-stretching machine, the corn-yk bination with a suitable supporting-frame, of a plurality of winding-drums mounted thereon, and wire-clamps connected to said drums respectively and each comprising a base, two cam-levers arranged end to end upon said base, one of the same being rigid and the other pivoted and an angular guard extending longitudinally along the entire upper edge of the stationary lever so as to hold the wire thereon; the construction being such that the wire jams between the peripheries of the respective levers, substantially as described.

2. In a wire-stretching machine, the combination with a suitable frame having grooves formed near one end and provided with inclined bottoms, supporting-legs providedA with a plurality of adjusting apertures and mounted in said grooves, adjusting-bolts passing through said supporting-legs and the frame to secure said legs firmly in said grooves so that their lower ends will be spread apart to form a lateral brace and a plurality of winding-drums mounted upon said frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAN. H. JONES.

Witnesses:

C. B. HALL, R. P. EATON, Jr.

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